Book Talk | On The Hippie Trail

Ever since coming back from my first European trip to Italy, I have been an avid Rick Steves listener. Besides listening to his podcast, I also consumed his TV specials (more so during the pandemic), but I had never read his books. I'm not one to read guidebooks, but when he started advertising for this book, I knew I wanted to pick it up myself, so down to the library I went. Here are my thoughts on On The Hippie Trail by Rick Steves. 

 

About the Author 

Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, empowers Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. In 1976, he started his business, Rick Steves' Europe, headquartered in Edmonds, Washington, near Seattle. There, he produces a best-selling guidebook series, a popular public television show, a weekly public radio show, a syndicated travel column, and free travel information available through his travel center and ricksteves.com. Rick Steves' Europe also runs a successful small-group tour program taking 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. 

 

About the Story

In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek, and like a travel writer in training, he documented everything along the way. From taking wild bus rides through Turkey to enduring monsoons in India, the experience ignited his love of travel and forever broadened his perspective on the world.
 
On the Hippie Trail contains Rick's journals from 1978—the last year the trip was possible—and full-color travel photos from this trek of a lifetime through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal, plus a brand-new preface and afterword reflecting on the historic context of the moment and how the journey changed his life. 

 

Book Talk

For being a world traveler, I actually don't read too many travel books. I think when it comes to travel, I'd rather intake my travel knowledge through podcasts and video format. But something about this book intrigued me. Maybe it was because it's a compilation of journal entries from a trip 50 years ago, or maybe it was because it's a journey that's no longer taken, or a bit of both. Either way, this book piqued my travel interest, and I had never read a Rick Steves' book, so I thought I would give it a try.  

 First and foremost, it's incredible that Rick had this journal intact for him to make his journey come to life. There's something about his raw and young perspective as he and his friend are trekking through this journey and looking through the eyes of a traveler out of his comfort zone. I respect the fact that Rick was very honest that the thoughts and opinions he had back then were probably not all good. However, through his writing, we see a traveler who is stepping into unknown territory, and he's aware of the fact that he has these biases, but as the journey goes on, we see his understanding of his new surroundings come to life. As any good traveler should do while on a trip, he takes in and he learns, and we can appreciate that back then and in today's world.

His journey felt like some crazy story that my grandma pulls out of her hat and tells me at random times. It feels like an adventure story, with pretty much no glitz and glam, but we enjoy it and wish that a little part of us was there (but maybe with better accommodations). 

Overall, On the Hippie Trail is a fun read for travelers, adventurers, and dreamers alike. It reminds us that sometimes the long way is the best way and that traveling isn't all about the destination, but the journey you have getting there. 

Until next time, Happy Ready!